Cries of political hypocrisy over Aboriginal alcohol policies

Updated
February 06, 2013 20:30:00

In Queensland, the Liberal-National Party Government has accused Julia Gillard of playing politics with Aboriginal lives. But some Aboriginal people say it's the State Government that played politics when it made a pre-election promise to relax alcohol restrictions.

TIM PALMER: In Queensland, the Liberal-National Party Government has accused Julia Gillard of playing politics with Aboriginal lives after she attacked it for carrying out an election promise to relax alcohol restrictions in Aboriginal communities.

But some Aboriginal people say it's the State Government's policy that's endangering communities.

Councils can now apply to have liquor restrictions lifted providing they also submit plans to reduce alcohol-related harm. Some back the move towards delivering equality in licensing laws with those governing other Australians, while others say their dysfunctional communities aren't ready.

GLEN ELMES: Gathering some votes in Sydney and Melbourne may have had a lot more to do with some of the statements she made today than would be the welfare of Indigenous people throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory.

ANNIE GUEST: So you're saying this is pure politics?

GLEN ELMES: Oh look it's politics.

ANNIE GUEST: His Government is fulfilling a pre-election promise to ease 10-year alcohol restrictions in Aboriginal communities.

Critics say the Minister's comments are hypocritical, including the chief executive of Cape York Peninsula's Pormpuraaw Council, Eddie Natera.

EDDIE NATERA: It's political. They have their own agendas. Maybe someone should ask the Premier, that was his promise before the election.

ANNIE GUEST: Do you think that it was about getting votes in Aboriginal communities?

EDDIE NATERA: Oh absolutely.

ANNIE GUEST: But the Minister, Mr Elmes, says it's about giving Aboriginal communities greater power over their lives. However, their applications to have alcohol restrictions lifted must include plans to reduce alcohol-related harm.

GLEN ELMES: I will be wanting to ensure that when the submissions come in, that there is a plan for each community to drive harm levels down and drive school attendances up.

ANNIE GUEST: The former Anglican mission of Pormpuraaw has battled violence, alcoholism, low school attendance and other dysfunction.

Speaking on behalf of the Mayor, Mr Natera says alcohol restrictions have helped, and Julia Gillard is right to worry about the Queensland Premier's alcohol plans.

EDDIE NATERA: We're a bit concerned, that you know, what the Premier is not talking the truthfulness to communities about this relaxation of alcohol.

ANNIE GUEST: What is he not being truthful about?

EDDIE NATERA: He knows and we know that we aren't ready at the moment because you know the mother and the children will suffer. You know, all we want here is our people to go out to the club, have a drink, go back home, have a sleep, make sure than you know the kids are fed, ready to go to school the next day and have a happy family.

ANNIE GUEST: However, just off Townsville, Palm Island's community leaders are preparing to apply to the State Government to have restrictions lifted, and the Mayor, Alf Lacey, is scornful of the Prime Minister's foray into the issue.

ALF LACEY: The use of special measures puts Indigenous Australians in a different basket and certainly it's not surprising that the Prime Minister would come out and divert away from the real issues.

ANNIE GUEST: Alf Lacey was charged last year over sly grogging. The case is yet to be resolved. He says the community has held discussions about liquor laws and they don't want rivers of grog.

ALF LACEY: One of the things that was concentrated on is responsible drinking venues and that allows people to enjoy the same rights as everybody else.